Face on Fire

I'm not sure how it happened, but I am not happy about it.  I've gotten into something that my body does not agree with.  To be more specific - my face does not agree with whatever-it-is.  So, whatever-it-is has managed to set my face aflame. 

I have an eczema type rash covering much of my face, including my forehead, eyelids, right cheek, and jaw. This absolute loveliness even extends down the right side of my neck.   My eyelids (upper and lower) are swollen and even appear slightly bruised.  Oh yeah, as you can imagine... I'm looking gorgeous.  Not.  I'm like a cross between the elephant man and the losing boxer in a prize fight.



Is there a worse place to develop a red, itchy, swollen rash than the face?  Perhaps... but right now I can't believe that's possible.   Rashes in other places can be hidden by clothing and accessories.  Not this one.  It's right out front and center for the world to see.  And it itches like crazy! 

I'm sure it's the result of some sort of allergic reaction.  I'm not using any new face products or makeup.  I haven't eaten anything unusual or different.  My best guess is something in the garden.  Although I can't quite figure why the rash is only on my face and not my arms or legs.  Quite a mystery there. 

So, after 2 days of being doped up on benedryl, endless layers of Eucerin creme lotion, vitamin E oil, and even an oatmeal bath - I'm off to the Dr this afternoon.  I feel pretty sure there is some Prednisone in my immediate future.  Which I am also not happy about since I know how that particular medication makes me feel.  But that's another story.   Right now I just want the rash gone!

The Day of the Jellyfish

One morning I got up and headed down to the beach where the Man of the House was already getting in some early fishing.  There was a strange cloudy spot in the water...

It was a huge mass of jellyfish!    Those "bubbles" in the water  seen in the pictures below- are not bubbles. They are jellyfish floating on the surface.

There were jellyfish being washed up and scattered all over the sand.

Which seemed to make the seagulls very happy.



Fortunately the jellyfish invasion mostly cleared up within an hour or two and the water was once again safe for the human ocean lovers.



Fishing on the OBX

The Man of the House had a hook in the water every chance he got.

Even the Little Man got in on the surf fishing.

And they hopped a charter boat one morning for some fishing in the sound.



Bodie Island Lighthouse

After visiting Cape Hatteras lighthouse, we stopped on the way back at Bodie Island Lighthouse.  (according to locals - that's pronounced "body", not Bodie with a long O)  The lighthouse is not open for climbing and is undergoing a lot of restoration work recently.  Last year when we drove by the entire structure was surrounded by scaffolding.

Mother's Memories

ABC's,
     123's,
"Mommy, mommy,
     look at me!!"
Children's giggles,
     Popsicle grins,
Too soon become
     "Remember When".

Grow up - It's a Toy!

You've probably seen it or heard about it somewhere.  The Breast Milk Baby doll.  And people are fired up over it!  The "ladies" of  The View are talking about it.  Good Morning America is talking about it.  The Washington Post is talking about it.  Who knew a simple thing could cause such a stir.  Even Mr. Bill O'Reilly himself felt compelled to toss in his overblown, self-indulgent 2 cents on the issue.

It's a doll.  Which little girls can pretend to breastfeed.  GASP!!  Yes, that's right.  Imagine... little girls pretending to feed a pretend baby in the NORMAL way.  The way a woman's body is designed to work.  Shocking isn't it? (please insert the proper sarcastic tones as you read those last few lines and imagine me rolling my eyes here)

Personally, I don't understand the fuss.  My favorite argument is that it pushes little girls to grow up too fast.  It's a doll!!  Pretending to feed a doll is forcing our daughters to act too grown up too soon?  By that argument we should banish all dolls.   The doll is just one more way for children to imitate the behaviour of adults they see around them.  Just like little boys pretend to shave like daddy.  Or how we have little child sized kitchen sets for kids to play with.  How is play acting nursing a doll any different from pretending to bottle feed a doll?  Or change a doll's diapers? 

Oh right... it involves (whisper the word)  Breasts!  How dare we start teaching little girls what breasts are really meant for?  Why that's just "gross", right?!  Something that might show them that breasts are more than the silicone enhanced things they see on the cover of magazines while at the grocery store with mom, or on billboards selling beer while driving down the road in the family car, or bouncing around while some curvy blond runs across the screen of a TV show or movie? 

News flash!!  Breasts are on the female body as a way to nurture our young.  It's a biological fact.  It's not gross.  It's not freaky or unusual.  It's NORMAL.  And children who regularly see women breastfeeding learn this.  Do they need a special doll?  No, not really.  Little girls (and some little boys too for that matter) have been sitting next to mom while she feeds the new baby and putting their dolls, their stuffed animals, and even Elmo toys up to their chest and pretending to feed them for years and years.  It's innocent.  And in my opinion - it's adorable. 

I like how one child psychologist put it - the only way this doll is going to do harm to children is if you beat them over the head with it.  For all those people worried about this doll forcing kids to grow up too soon.  Maybe that's exactly what they need to do - GROW UP!

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

We got up early, stopped at Duck Donuts for some eats and headed south toward Cape Hatteras that morning.  The weather didn't look especially encouraging to begin.

Atleast it stopped raining long enough for us to visit the lighthouse, although due to the rolling thunder we were unable to make the climb to the top.

The Princess and the Little Man were less than thrilled to pose for pictures at first.

But before too long; I got them to play along...

And the rain held off until we left in search of lunch

Sunset on Kill Devil Hills

More OBX Beach Pictures

OBX Beach Pictures

Shots of the beaches along the Outer Banks. Most are at Kill Devil Hills, but a couple are further south at Coquina Beach and Hatteras.